10 Most Bang for Buck Aero Gains From an Aerodynamics Expert

[@foleystyle]

The best aero gain I have found is a good tail wind

[@JanneRasanen2]

What about farting? It pushes you forward and there is nobody behind you. "Tail wind" oh I get it now 😂

[@m0nke318]

@@JanneRasanen2It even gets those behind leeching off your draft to F off too!

[@kwilli222]

Over the years I have trained in an aero position (even when I'm training indoors) and have done all the points mentioned on a budget-ish (tubeless GP5000). All I can say is that I'm fast on flat roads and sit on the front ready to be dropped on the next hill. It's good cat and mouse training at times as I'm faster on the downhills!!

[@philliptrzcinski5243]

"tighter fitting clothing is free", what I'm hearing is it's a good thing I'm going to put on half a stone over Christmas

[@BirdmanDeuce26]

big brain strat

[@zerocharlie]

Any one else have this takeaway? - Other than body position, the rest of the aero gains seem really minuscule by themselves. I suppose if you did every aero thing you’d see a noticeable difference, but get into the lowest position you can comfortably hold and wear tight clothing and you’re basically taking advantage of 90% of aero efficiencies.

[@norgtube]

Of course they're small by themselves, but piling them up does make a noticeable difference.

[@sempi8159]

Most aero stuff is a scam. Welcome to the bright side :)

[@craigpavia8943]

Lose weight...you the rider makes up 80% (I've heard higher) of the aero mass...find a taller rider and sit-in :)

[@sempi8159]

@@craigpavia8943 exactly

[@GoustiFruit]

@@craigpavia8943Depends. If you race downhill...

[@MainUkraine]

I've tried wearing a water pack during a century ride and removing my bottle cages and noticed a significant average speed improvement for the same effort.

[@weiwenng8096]

Not specifically called out, but the aero hoods position. This is what you guys were using in the wind tunnel when Xavier was talking about more aero body positions. Back in the 2000s we were all in the drops when we were at the front, and maybe a handful of people did the puppy paws / invisible aero bar position. The drops are not as good as aero hoods because your forearms are exposed to the wind.

[@craven4adventure]

I simply wear tight under armor leg gear. I got rid of my water bottles for an aero Hydration Pack. Getting low might be the hardest to sustain. I was in a super areo position real low but the position was difficult to see. Holding my eyes up in that position started to be straining. That position was definitely areo and I seen a dramatical difference in speed. I already have two sets of 50/88 wheels. I did notice a difference when i bought an areo helmet.

[@RomanoCortesJorge]

Keep those gilets, jerseys, and jackets zippered up to prevent them from flapping in the wind. Use jerseys designed for the heat that you don't have to unzip.

[@PansRocks]

One of the most honest video's on aero gains I've saw, would love to hear his thoughts on the advantages of aero with different angles of cross and tail winds.

[@Shadowboost]

If you can hang on, aero wheels generate thrust at wide enough yaw angle. You actually sail

[@jasonwills6694]

I have found losing my last 10 - 15lbs allow me to be more aero. Hold a flatter back more easily.

[@adambrickley1119]

Shoe covers, aero bottles, combi saddle bag and bottle holder, integrated stem and bars, turned in hoods, blade spokes if you are buying new rims.

[@deenbe]

Some framebags offer significant aero gains! And you can store stuff in there aswell.

[@Hermod_Hermit]

I've lowered my personal RR/aero resistance with about 18 kg since October last year. Should see some gains comes spring - hopefully.

[@msPaulaA1]

Learning to ride aero its free and the gains are tremendous. Getting low, Rolling the shoulders and arms in bring in the heels and have a slight pointed toe. All that Learning to ride in a tighter tuck its all free on the bike but for concentration.

[@cvdavis]

Position Tight clothing Shaved legs @30km/h about 5 watts 1 minute on a 40km ride Remove extra stuff on your bike Slightly narrower handlebars sub 40 cm 4-5 watts Aero bars about 15 watts Aero specific clothing ex skinsuit 2-3 watts better than tight good fitting bibs/jersey combo Aero socks 2-3 watts Aero helmet 2 watts Deeper wheels 3-5 watts Inner tubes & tires PU or latex tubes

[@Jari1973]

+ EUR 2,000 carbon fiber rims help as much as shaving your shins 😮

[@willwallis9689]

Use the right tyre pressure to improve rolling resistance

[@jbkltc4469]

i really dig the RHC London and Barcelona B-Roll footage!

[@williamforbes7156]

in the clip for aero extension bars the rolling shot of a normal bike not super slammed but just ever so slightly rolled over into a comfortable position is spot on really. i feel like it's easy to lose real world performance in the world of yeah just some pros hanging out posting update vids or whatever's current.

[@CyclingMikey]

Velomobile FTW!

[@BigBailBikesandBeer]

does wearing a watch make you much less aero? Always wore my Garmin Fenix , similar watch although I also have computer on bike.. How much will I save to leave it at home!!

[@FordTransitvan]

Nicely explained. No mention of shaving beards off though!

[@rasherdk]

The only test I've seen (on Danish TV2 Sport) could not detect any difference between beard and no beard. Hypothesis was that the area is so full of turbulence anyway that it doesn't really make a difference. This was a proper full beard (google Rasmus Quaade).

[@MichaelWilliams-iv6dj]

Clean drivetrain and a waxed chain are 5 to 10 watts and basic paraffin wax is super cheap.

[@olasonn]

Reg. shaving the legs. I've heart that shaving the beard has no impact cause it's in the front and won't cause drag. So is it enough to shave the sides and back of our legs then? :) Ok, might look weird, but I am genuinly curious.

[@dafred9898]

Jam Cycling Kit FTW!

[@TreibAir]

I have a relatively large head and struggle to find helmets. Last time I looked, there were only midrange offerings in ~62cm. I currently use a Lazer Sphere which was pretty much the only half decent option.

[@davidv6803]

I’d love a similar video for mountain bikes. I’m sure many of the tips are the same but there may be some different ones as well

[@adamweb]

The MTB scene is just now learning about aerodynamics 😂The XL flannel jersey with jeans combo is used like a sail to change direction midair!

[@j_potatoe]

see ben cathro on pinkbike's 'How to bike series' about setup your bike as a good starting point.

[@barrytantlinger1033]

But are MTBer's going fast enough for it to matter? While aero gains start at about 20 kph, the really noticeable gains videos like this are talking about usually are measured at 30 kph. And the big one - position - just aren't doable on a mountain bike.

[@junkandcrapamen]

Because your arms are so wide, sit straighter up and go on average much slower worrying about aerodynamics on an mtb is not worth it. Particularly a full sus machine.

[@christoferstromberg6605]

​@@adamwebskinsuits is banned from downhill racing for example, otherwise everyone would be in one.

[@edmundhodgson2572]

becoming slimmer. Happy New Year!

[@wizardzx2]

If you add up all those watt savings you get to more watts than you make in the first place 😂

[@mightycw7309]

few realize that if you shave all your body hair and hold your body position perfectly the bike will actually propel itself forward

[@J_Cav84]

Haven’t heard from/about George and Jess in a while!! I miss the Jam years of the vlog… wonder if you’re still in contact, and how they’re doing…

[@CyclingAlgarvePortugal]

Loosing few kg can help too! But now serious question. Im a big rider, around 95kg. I have alloy wheels with rim brakes. I was thinking about them latex tubes but people telling me its not a good idea with rim brakes-especially for a big riders like me. Ive been told that rims getting hot on descents can damage the tubes? Is that correct ? Thanks!

[@oplkfdhgk]

Surely the rims won't get that hot? Unless you have like foldable bike with like 12 inch rim maybe. The surface area is just so big that I have hard time believing that it would get that hot.

[@veloaddict]

Go tubeless and use non-vulcanized tires.

[@uranusjr]

Not sure about latex but TPU is quite good in this regard, at least as good as butyl, so maybe do that instead?

[@CyclingAlgarvePortugal]

thx! @@uranusjr

[@CyclingAlgarvePortugal]

like the ridenow you talking about? @@uranusjr

[@steveprice9737]

I had a brief discussion about using very narrow bars with Xavier a while back, he said they are only really any good if you can keep your elbows in. There's a lot of trial and error with this stuff, what works for one person might not for another, consider how much power is gained in an aero position, it may be negated by your physical inability to produce power in this position. I used to race in a cap rather than a helmet as it was more aero than the helmet I owned. Obviously CTT now insist on helmets so I have bought an aero road helmet. Good vid guys.

[@christeschke9844]

Would you achieve any aero gain by rounding the edges of a disc brake rotor?

[@michadebicki6534]

Lol, moving disc brake pizza cutter :D

[@oplkfdhgk]

Been thinking of making like some weird aerodynamic thing around my bike from like aluminium tube and tent fabric. I think it could be good but i just don't have the money to do it right now. 🙂

[@flosa1995]

Thats called a sail lol

[@sempi8159]

Try finding fiberglass tent poles instead of aluminium

[@oplkfdhgk]

@@sempi8159 interesting. I had no idea that was a thing. Sound like a good idea. Thanks for the tip. 🙂

[@SuperNeilB]

You are thinking of a two wheel velomobile....no point in reinventing the wheel!

[@oplkfdhgk]

@@SuperNeilBwell why spend like 4k for something when i can just spend like 100€ on some materials?

[@Jalfred92]

How important is matching your tyre and rim width? Would i be a fool to put 28s on a 23 outer rim?

[@ankjaers]

It’s not ideal for aero. But you get rolling resistance gains. And a lot more comfort.

[@nigelgittins]

Do handlebars make a difference?

[@Aus10c]

Whats the difference in leg compression sleeves instead of shaving legs?

[@proffate]

It affects who thinks you look dumb

[@bando-q8t]

idk about the aero part but leg compression isn't really viable in summer (when most racing tends to happen)

[@lavimarriott5940]

love your vids❤

[@neilk22]

Interesting that there are now findings that running 30mm tires almost negates aero gains from deep wheels other than perhaps stiffness of that counts

[@kalebzehr6850]

I just buy them for the looks lol

[@neilk22]

@@kalebzehr6850 same here, a 40-50mm does make a bike look racey

[@aimamartinez4481]

why are the aero socks more aero than shaved or hairy legs?

[@Andreas-from-Bremen]

What about covering the shoes?

[@michaelnedd3347]

Drivetrain efficiency… clean chain with decent lube?

[@joriszsz95]

I dont want to know if its more aero, but how much it is more aero

[@keithfels9963]

I like to say "I'm not fat, I'm more aero". My gut fills the air pocket between my torso and legs saving me at least 100 watts per year.

[@gavinhazard75]

Where can I find individual tt bike wattage tests done in wind tunnel with disc wheel etc

[@885wc]

Losing some of my surface area might help considering I’m essentially a sail.

[@christopheroliver148]

Now I have an urge to cover my bike frame in hair... maybe the left-over fuzz from initially shaving my legs. ;-)

[@markusseppala6547]

I thought 2 bottles was faster than 1?

[@oplkfdhgk]

Clip on TT bar and Tt helmet

[@OneDougUnderPar]

Also, what about beards and long hair?

[@TheFloridaBikeVlogger]

so really I am going to spend it more for the socks than the helmet. got it

[@OGillo2001]

Go double Van Gogh and really commit to the aero project?

[@fullmetall122]

that's a real commitment!

[@bingobango6412]

Next video: how aero is Voldemort??

[@csarcpab]

Seeing +10K pounds bike with handlebar bags everywhere, it's a real thing 🤣🤣🤣

[@garybird8646]

Shaving off your beard and bottle down the jersey.

[@mattkennedy1203]

Beards are actually shown to have very little (less than 1 second over 40km ) effect on aerodynamics in cycling.

[@garybird8646]

@@mattkennedy1203 even big beards? Genuine question btw

[@henrychungfitness]

The bottle down the jersey is a good one especially for triathletes 👍 beard, not so sure because I can’t grow one anyways lol

[@wongasaur]

A massive beard actually has an aero advantage.. better than a bottle down the jersey. Goal is to eliminate the space for turbulent air between the throat/torso & top tube.

[@fortinbras47]

@@garybird8646checkout specialized “win tunnel” series. Shaving legs is huge but beards don’t matter.

[@xardasvonlorien]

Get a faired recumbent. :D (well okay, probably not what "bang for buck" means)

[@SaHaRaSquad]

Well compared to any expensive road bike it's definitely more cost efficient. Considering the video suggests wheels for over $1000 to get 5W gains lol

[@PierpaoloBagnasco]

I wonder how much of these savings are valid with wind coming from other directions (like crosswinds) other than from the front. Or wind with different yaw/pitch, etc. it would be nice to test this. I don’t know anyone who has done this.

[@adambrickley1119]

Modern aero rims can create drive with a 30 degree yaw apparently. Something to do with the cross section being less sharp.

[@nannenon]

What about beards?

[@sadlfjasdfacv]

He forgot to mention spending $12,000 on the latest aero road bike that is .0002% faster than last years.

[@OneDougUnderPar]

He said remove stuff, but didn't Dylan Johnson and Silca show that saddlebags and bottles are more aero?

[@littlevo9]

Certains gains peuvent faire rire mais tout additionné on peut grimper à 25w et 25w sur un pratiquant lambda c’est énorme !

[@markcarlton]

He missed suggesting tubular tyres for best rolling resistance and comfort, otherwise he's pretty much on the money...! 😉

[@mturgeonferland]

Loosing the belly

[@tobycolin6271]

You show me any Sunday once a week aero owning rider that is anywhere near an aero position. The biggest thing you can do to be aero is improve your flexibility and core strength. I haven’t seen a single Sunday rider on the road in 2023 with bent arms and a flat back.

[@proffate]

Are you trying to shame people with jobs? Those whose purchases effectively fund all this research?

[@janwillemkuilenburg7561]

Bottles from the downtube to the back of the saddle.

[@peterneumann7145]

Nah only Tri would do that

[@joseluisrodriguezvazquez6082]

And if you only use one, I understand that having it on the seat tube is a bit more aero than having it on the downtube.

[@daniellatz8931]

No one’s going to mention the reclining elephant in the room

[@realnutteruk1]

hahahahaha... recumbents for the win!

[@Scottslookingabout]

not stopping at McDonalds.

[@tobycolin6271]

The aero gains in a wind tunnel are practically zero to the average man or club rider. As the test are done at 48km/h and sometimes higher. If you half the speed to 24km/h you can divide any wind tunnel claim by 8. You would a total of 6 watt saving at 15mph. If you did al the ipgrades here theoretically you could gain0.2 mph at 16mph average but the rider would loose most of that advantage on the first climb and down hill section with the loss of leverage and control from the narrow bars.

[@uknowbass]

Shoe covers

[@xosece]

great video- Nicely explained by Xavier and to the point. That being said, genetically I have no hair in my chest, so let me have hair in my legs, no way I am shaving my legs. Other than that, excellent advice

[@enijland7562]

Funny to see footage of bike pack ing gravel riders and of cyclists with their wind stopper opened up

[@alainbellemare2168]

Air frame

[@vinniep01]

The first one minute.

[@leonbroekx]

I love that Xavier.. sorry, I mean dr Disley starts with the (almost) free options.

[@korsveien]

Wheel sucking everyone and everything saves you 30%. Most gains without buying anything. 😅

[@JK-bo8bq]

aero socks.

[@JP-hr7ch]

Didn't you know the aerodynamics of your socks is more significant than the bike frame itself? Bargain at £69 lol /s

[@DesertSunAdventures]

If I heard correctly the bike is the problem not the rider.

[@sheesh1995]

Riding naked and shave your whole body, removing unnecessary parts not only from the Bike but you

[@gielmoons967]

Turned in hoods😢

[@barrytantlinger1033]

UCI just banned them...

[@gielmoons967]

I know😔

[@pmcmpc]

Saddle bags and frame bags often make the bike faster. He's talking out of his ass.

[@GeekonaBike]

#1 is what I've been saying forever. Nothing uglier that an aero bike with 3 or 4 spacers under the stem.

[@Cloxxki]

While I do hunt PB's on random rides...aero only wins you anything in competition.

[@cyrillewis]

Hair on your legs should not be in the top 10. Shouldn't even be an aero gain.

[@SaHaRaSquad]

Yeah anyone who says 1 gained minute at 40km/h is significant has lost touch with reality. Half the list in the video isn't better according to his numbers than a pair of aero socks. It's funny how people talk about shaving legs as aero optimization while recumbent bikes will blow any high-end road bike out of the water.

[@JP-hr7ch]

Why is this guy been described as an "Aerodynamics Expert", when he has zero academic qualifications in aerodynamics?

[@rbstretch100]

Academic qualification is not what I look for in expertise. Expertise is more likely to come from experience than a qualification.

[@JP-hr7ch]

@@rbstretch100 So by your logic, you would trust an "experienced" generalist nurse, over a fully qualified, professionally registered, specialist doctor, ok.

[@rgfrobotics]

its the bike industry here! the standards are low 😆

[@rbstretch100]

@@JP-hr7ch If that doctor is lacking the experience, then yes. The reality is that doctors only become a specialist through lots of experience, so your scenario is not realistic. Of course there is a qualiity of experience factor in there as well and as far as I can tell Xavier has been working in wind tunnels with real athletes for years, so can count himself as an expert.

[@SaHaRaSquad]

@@JP-hr7ch I will absolutely trust a nurse for some things more than a doctor who sits in his office prescribing pills all day, yes. Because the nurse does some "low skill" tasks a hundred times per year while the doctor last did it 3 years ago. Aerodynamics is an extremely complex field where theoretical knowledge can only get you so far and even simulations make errors, that's why wind tunnels exist in the first place.

[@tblou2594]

y’all are some nerds lol

[@michaelhayward7572]

No. Just no.

[@JoeV1.1]

Get a bike fit and then go from there.

[@nemure]

The second he said shaving legs makes 5 watts difference he yelled loud and clear this guy is bullshit with zero back up to his crapp. There are tons of studies about this and the actual wattage you can see it's 0,05 watts, shaving legs has 2 benefits though , aesthetics if is your thing and in case you crash is a cleaner wound having no hair.

[@invisiblescout6335]

Any sources for these studies? Every wind tunnel test I've seen claims 10+ watts above 40 kmh

[@keessonnema]

Instead of whining about it, link to the studies you talk about maybe?

[@derekkuhl]

I think your reading is off. The tons of studies showed that there was a significant benefit aerodynamically.

[@Liryc19]

Oli from GCN even did the comparison in this specific tunnel, with Xavier, before and after shaving, and they found a surprising amount of différence...

[@SecwetGwiwer]

Do you know who he is? 😆 He’s pretty much the no.1 expert in cycling aerodynamics.

[@jacksonhill1813]

Yawn

[@Grunge_Cycling]

Did you know you can shave your legs faster if your arms are shaved? 🪒

[@sfdint]

I can see you are a real efficiency expert!

[@karelvandervelden8819]

No its still faster if you wear an aero jersey while shaving but indeed that time saved you can put in longer training for even more speed. The hairloss on my head made me more aero and lighter thus compensated for the watts lost over the years. Bigger breasts on women have a measured aero benefit plus they tend to have a strong boyfriend who rides in front. The mental strength benefit I have over unshaved legs amateurs leaves them in the dust. Buying ceramic bearings limits your food budget thus weightloss. All the other even better tips I have are for sale.